Thailand Looks to Strengthen Out Dated Child Porn Laws

Ms Jintanun told the NLA that while the reproduction of adult porn violates the Criminal Code, it is reasonable to introduce tough measures regarding child pornography

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BANGKOK -National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Member Ms Jintanun Chayasuphamitre and 50 Assembly representatives yesterday proposed an amendment to the Criminal Code seeking to impose heavy punishment for people having in possession child pornography.

It was the first bill ever proposed by the NLA members led by Ms Jintanun Chayasuphamitre to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday to amend the Criminal Code which has been in force for a long time.

According to the proposer, her amendment to the Criminal Code was to toughen the country’s stance against child pornography as child porn is against basic children’s rights in accordance with the convention on the rights of the child.

Ms Jintanun told the NLA that while the reproduction of adult porn violates the Criminal Code, it is reasonable to introduce tough measures regarding child pornography.

She said the amendment states that people who possess pornography involving young people aged between 15 and 18 will face a fine up to 30,000 baht and/or a jail term up to three years.

Violators who have pornographic image of children aged under 15 in their possession will face a fine up to 100,000 baht and/or a jail term up to five years.

People who produce pornography of young people aged under 18 for sale whether it be in the country or for export will face a fine up to 140,000 baht and/or a jail term up to seven years.

She recalled a failed attempt eight years ago when over 20,000 people signing a petition supporting a child pornography bill to protect children but was not pushed through.

After a lengthy deliberation, the deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that since change to the Criminal Code which is a core criminal legislation is significant it needed time to look into its impacts on other laws or whether it duplicates other existing laws in use.

He asked for 20 days before returning the bill to the NLA for approval in the first reading.

NLA president Pornpetch also said the NLA would have to allow the government to study the bill before the members cast their votes. – Thai PBS